Sudan’s RSF Establishes Parallel Government Amid Ongoing Conflict

The RSF in Sudan is forming a parallel government to gain legitimacy and access advanced weaponry, potentially prolonging conflict with the army. They aim to counter the army’s dominance and assert their own authority on the international stage. The situation is marked by significant territorial shifts and alliances among various factions, raising concerns about lasting peace and stability in the region.

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are establishing a parallel government aimed at usurping diplomatic legitimacy from the army-led administration and gaining access to advanced weaponry. This development, supported by various politicians and paramilitary sources, may prolong the ongoing conflict, which has seen the RSF recently cede territory.

Since the initiation of fighting in April 2023, the army-led government has maintained significant international recognition, despite relocating to Port Sudan due to conflict. Meanwhile, the RSF signed a political charter in Kenya with various political factions and armed groups, with intentions to form a “Government of Peace and Unity” within weeks.

The RSF claims this government will challenge the army’s divisive tactics, including alleged air strikes and aid blockages. Al-Hadi Idris, a supporter of the planned government, stated emphatically, “We are not a parallel government and we are not a government in exile, we are the legitimate government.”

Foreign powers view the RSF’s actions as a means to manage humanitarian aid distribution and gain leverage in future peace negotiations. The group has acquired military aid, including drones and air defense systems, as both factions have garnered advanced weaponry from international sources.

The RSF maintains that it requires military capabilities to protect its populace. In response to the RSF’s charter, the army expressed its disapproval, stating that it would only exacerbate the ongoing conflict. The United Nations reiterated the importance of sustaining Sudan’s unity, while the United States characterized the move as harmful to prospects for peace.

The army has recently regained territory, pushing the RSF from significant parts of the capital and central Sudan. The RSF continues to control large areas in the Darfur region and West Kordofan. Recent alliances with groups like the SPLM-N have surprised many observers, highlighting a desire for a federalist “New Sudan.”

The charter emphasizes a secular and pluralistic vision for the nation, contrasting with the army’s historical Islamist policies. The SPLM-N leadership views this partnership as a means to advance peace following years of conflict and to secure necessary resources and military supplies.

The establishment of a parallel government by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces represents a maneuver to gain legitimacy and military resources amidst a protracted conflict with the army. While this initiative seeks recognition and peace, it risks further destabilizing Sudan, complicating the humanitarian landscape, and potentially prolonging military engagements. International stakeholders are closely monitoring these developments as the situation evolves.

Original Source: www.usnews.com